Communication advice from working with multiple small businesses
We’re about to head to NYC. Though many of the agencies are big, I’ve learned a lot from working with smaller companies.
After working with 5+ small businesses in helping with branding, social media, creative content creation, marketing, and beyond, I’ve gathered a lot of professional insight and tips that have helped me to shape the way I want go about having a career. Smaller and family-run businesses often need help with technology and are slower with communication. I hope others find this helpful when keeping open communication and getting in contact with places we visit in NYC.
- Keep your emails open and honest. It’s okay to voice your opinion on how something should be done—even if you are at the intern level. Making sure that there is a lot of transparency allows for companies to see you take the subject and/or the job seriously.
- Ask for what you need. I have had one too many emails where miscommunication was huge and I was blamed for it each time regardless of the matter. Even if you have to explain something again or repeat the last email over, except worded differently, it’ll help you be better in the end. Take a deep breath, step back, and you will totally handle it smartly and professionally. Higher-ups love seeing that you’re poised and confident in your abilities—even if that means asking for clarification.
- Always say thank you. Even if they should be thanking you. Even if it’s a quick email. Even if you’re frustrated.
- Back up your ideas. This is something I have learned so much from. I’ve specialized in social and content creation for about 3 years yet I still am quick to speak about knowing the better way to advertise a business on social media before thinking as to why I know that— did I notice that after research? Analytics? What customers said? Even if that means sending a follow-up email because you were unable to provide tangible evidence for your claim without pictures, sources, etc, it is so important.
- Know that you’re doing the best you can. If you didn’t get that email back, the promotion, or your design wasn’t used, know your worth. You worked hard to be where you are and you will continue to make bigger and better feats. Let go of the set backs and keep moving.
– Lindsey Epifano 5.1.19
So this one time on the Barcelona subway…
What do you do if you get separated from your friends on the subway?
Oh, it’s story time, pals.
Picture this: Spain, Fall 2017. A bright-eyed, significantly shorter-haired Taylor (If you don’t know me, I’m the hapa girl with a lighthouse tattoo on her left arm) is hitting the streets of Barcelona with her oversized backpacking gear and study abroad friends.
Your girl and co. decide it would be fun to go to Park Güell. We’re on a budget, so the subway is the transportation move. At this point everything is going smoothly. I’ve got our subway route pulled up on Google Maps, but my attention slips away from my phone for a second since we’re chatting away in the subway car.
As many of you know, Google Maps does this thing where it freaks out sometimes and just reroutes for no reason. That doesn’t mean that you should freak out (spoiler alert: like your girl did!) We’re at a stop and Google Maps is *wrongly* telling me to get off here. So what do I do? Like any wise person, I panic and tell my friends we have to get off, and I jump out onto the platform…right before the subway doors slide shut. I turn around and stare at my friends through the sealed doors, mouths gaping open, as the subway zips away.
Oh, it gets BETTER. I look down, and my phone dies right then. Straight up as I’m staring at it. Also did I mention that I don’t speak Spanish?
So I’m lost. Separated from my friends. Riding aimlessly on the subway with a dead phone for three. Whole. Hours. Talk about building character.
I eventually find my way to the Park Güell stop by using hand gestures and repeating “Gaudi” over and over again. And luckily, my friends were there waiting for me. But this all could’ve been avoided!
This is my long-winded, dramatic way of saying that if you get separated from your friends on the subway, get off at the next stop on your route and wait for them. If you are the separated friend, don’t panic. Just get off at the next stop and reunite with your buddies. Problem solved.
4.30.19 | Taylor Kissinger
Slide into those DM’s, people!
A few months back as I was aimlessly scrolling through my beloved Pinterest feed, I came across a set of designs I absolutely fell in love with. I followed the source trail to a New York-based graphic designer’s portfolio (@lianateresa, for your viewing pleasure). After scouring every page of her site (and loving every minute of it), I clicked the link at the bottom that took me to her Instagram. She’s a hand-lettering queen and her illustrations are quirky and vibrant, but she uses her art to take a stand in her community. She’s unapologetically herself, and to say that I was inspired by her work would be an understatement.
After throwing her a follow and shamelessly stalking her work, I decided to take a leap of faith and DM her. I asked her about hand lettering and the applications she used on her iPad. Literally, a one sentence message. From that, an insane networking opportunity. She asked me about my passion for design and what got me interested in typography. I told her that I was a senior ad major at Oregon and just wanted to add another skill to my portfolio. She then checked out my portfolio and, get this, actually liked it…!! I don’t know how I missed it but she then goes, “I actually work in advertising too at Weiden+Kennedy, which I feel like you might know about being in Oregon?” (UM YES I KNOW ABOUT WEIDEN+KENNEDY ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!) I played it cool, thanked her for the insights, and went about my day. From then on, we’d reply to each other’s stories and we’d connect over other artists we both admire.
Next thing you know, we’re getting coffee next week and she’s going to show me the newest Mike Perry Bud Light installment at W+K. It was a match made in Pinterest heaven.
Maile Sur | 4.30.19
All of The Lights
This year has been quite the whirlwind in terms of figuring out where I fit in, not only among my peers, but in the ad program in general. One thing that this year has taught me, is that in order to constantly progress you must push yourself out of your comfort zone. That is something that I have personally struggled with, and looks different for everyone.
With that being said, I couldn’t be any more excited for this trip. As someone who has never been on the east coast, I have no idea what to expect from the city, agencies and people that I will meet. *My stomach is turning as we speak*. That’s okay though, embrace it and power through.
My final thoughts to anyone else who is nervous, anxious or what have you: Don’t worry. You are not alone. We’ll tackle this together, and remember you are on this trip for a reason, so let your personality shine! Finally, I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone in some way on this trip… obviously within reason.
- Ethan Aliste
4.30.19
Alumni know best
I love to talk, and I love to prepare. That’s why before this trip I have reached out to the people who know this trip the best: alumni. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with a few alumni who gave me some great tips while going into this trip as a junior:
“Use this trip to get a sense of WHAT kind of agency you like”- Hannah Tabor
Hannah, a strategist at MOTHER told me that there are so many of agencies fluctuating in size, culture, and type of work. Visiting a variety can give you an idea of what type of agency you like, and a clearer view of where you’d like to end up after graduation.
“Ask questions only if you’re really interested. It’s easy to see through people who are just asking to be heard”- Terrence Lewis
Terrence, a strategist at Big Spaceship told me this when I asked him good questions to ask during a visit.
“Take better notes, and keep a log of everyone you talk to for future reference”- Emma Pindell
Emma is a strategist at Rokkan and told me to treat this like a class, especially when it comes to who you talk to. Writing thank you letters to anyone you talk to for more than 5 minutes, as well as writing down their contact information in a spreadsheet is a very helpful way to keep track of what happened during the busy week.
Being able to chat with the alumni eased some of my anxiety for the trip, and reminded me to take it all in and enjoy the chaos.
Hannah Baggs | 4.29.19
Why Advertising? Why New York?
My passion for design and advertising starting in high school during my business marketing class. We were tasked with finding a magazine advertisement and replicating it as closely as possible using only free online design sites.
After looking through the TIME magazine, I came across a layout that was graphically filled with quotes from different people. My base “software” was Canva and my secondary tool was Picmonkey. With using such restrictive tools I still passionately finished my replica which teachers and fellow students couldn’t tell from the original (view my version below). At that point I new I wanted to get into design and advertising.
While creating my ad replica I fell in love with the task of “completing a treasure hunt”. A treasure hunt in a way that I had to find matching colors and fonts. It was so satisfying finding the right match. In the end I realized that design was my thang.
So why New York? My whole life I’ve always felt that I’ve lived in a small town and have wanted a change in scene. Plus cities tend to have more awesome opportunities. By visiting San Francisco, San Diego, Austin and Tokyo I started to realize that I loved the big city vibe. I want to see if I get a cool vibe from New York so that I know whether or not it’s a fit for me after college.
- Kaheawai Kaonohi 04.29.2019
Tackle the thing called life.
As one of 24 incredible juniors going on this trip, I find myself in a unique and lucky position. This trip is giving me a chance to start figuring out what I want after graduation and then be allowed to let that simmer for an entire year.
This is what I know going into the trip:
1. I love the creative thinking going on in the ad world.
2. I love production.
3. I’m open to going (almost) anywhere after graduation.
4. I love exploration, taking on new challenges, and trying new things.
This is what I don’t know going into the trip:
1. If I want to join an agency, a media house, work in-house, or do something completely different.
2. If I’d rather be the one making the videos or the creative thinker behind the scenes.
3. How big or small of a business I would want to work in.
4. If I love New York as more than just as a visitor.
This trip is a vital piece of the puzzle to me figuring out where on this good earth I want to go when I graduate in a year. I’ll be using this time to soak up as much information as I can, pay attention to how the city makes me, and really dive into what I like and dislike about each place I get the please of visiting. This trip is a chance for some clarity and I cannot wait for this city, the city, to help guide me towards my future.
-Elliot Hodgin | 4.29.19
Stepping out and stepping in.
New York City. Lots of people. Lots of places.
I started my senior year assuming I wasn’t going to go on this trip. Obviously, things have changed. I’ve never desired to be in a big city. I lived in the most remote area of Iceland and loved getting to know literally all 200 people in my town. The idea of visiting or living in NYC never even crossed my mind. JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE.
I assumed I would probably get nothing out of this. I would waste my money and not make any connections, yadda yadda yadda. But, as the New York trip gets closer, the gears in my head keep turning. “What if?” “What if I ended up liking New York?” “What if I got a job there?” “Why not?” Hey now, what’s that feeling? Butterflies? BUTTERFLIES! The excitement is building. I am beginning to step out of my comfort zone and welcome this opportunity rather than find all the ways to feel disappointed (classic Olivia). I am surrounded by incredible creatives but I keep forgetting I am one of them. My confidence is building along with my portfolio (thank god). Finally stepping into the ad world and surrounding myself with optimism and curiosity. Big things are coming for me. I don’t know the timeline of it all but I know it starts with New York.
Olivia Whittaker | 4.28.19
Prepping for my team’s Day of Discovery with guess what…some reading.
I’m very excited to find out my cohort will be heading to Ellis Island at the end of the week. As any good researcher and ethnic studies student would, I bought a book to prepare for the visit. It’s called Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race. I am always conscious of the different experiences of the myriad of people that have contributed to this nation. However, I am also prepared to fight for the voices that have unjustly been recognized by history. I understand the harsh battles European immigrants faced upon arrival to this country. I don’t want to take those experiences away from them. Nonetheless, let us also be reminded that European immigrants, despite the many prejudices they faced, were able to be subsumed into the white folds of American society. Other immigrants groups have not been so fortunate. This is just a reminder to keep a whole perspective of the world and that it’s possible to be empathetic and critical at the same time.
- Zoe Haakenstad | 4.28.2019
NYC for the win (no literally!)
This time last year I was telling myself I didn’t want to go to NYC professionally—ever. It wasn’t something I thought I cared for because I thought I never wanted to be there or continue to explore what it has to offer.
Originally from Connecticut, I have been many times growing up. I’ve seen every side of New York. It has shocked me, delighted me, and flat out scared me. I still don’t have the subway figured out.
Fast forward to my senior year of college and I am incredibly excited to take a business trip to the big apple. I look back on my thoughts last year and think they’re a bit close-minded. My fear of challenging myself and being somewhere that scares me is something I continue to push myself to overcome. I feel that my thoughts have grown from “not my cup of tea” to “why not?” I never thought I’d be saying I am open to the opportunity of a job there. Open to a job really anywhere. I think it truly boils down to this desire to try something new and be ready to jump on wherever advertising allows me to go. Advertising is such a vastly growing industry in its betterment, and I never realized this until my last two years of school. Agencies are growing and changing. They are becoming so modern, multi-faceted in their offerings, and incredibly eclectic. Industry professionals are encouraging that agencies shift focus and it makes me beyond excited to have chosen this path.
I truly felt like I won when I was selected to be a part of this trip. I know that these opportunities to meet people do not come easy nor do connections that allow you to tour multiple agencies within a week nearly 3000 miles away.
If opportunity arises, take it. Be open to possibility. Two giant lessons I am glad to have learned and have encouraged me to take the leap and test the water this year. This has been a huge year for growth and New York will be one of the many milestones I make in growth for myself and my career.
– Lindsey Epifano, 4.28.19
Brooklyn, last summer.